Russia to complain to WTO about US import metal duties

Russia plans to file a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Washington’s decision to introduce import duties on steel and aluminum, but does not plan any direct countermeasures, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Yevtukhov declared on April 3.

“The issue here is not only in introduction of retaliatory duties, there is a negotiation process going on here. That was the first thing. The second thing here is that there is a dispute settlement body within the WTO, and we can file a complaint there. I am sure that our country will file it. We won’t necessarily introduce retaliatory duties,” Yevtukhov said.

In March the U.S. imposed a 25% duty on steel and a 10% duty on aluminum imported from all over the world. Introduction of duties on imports from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and the E.U. was delayed until May 1. (Prime/Ukrainian metal)